By Sharon Sanders
Just typing those words and I salivate. Giusti is a fine bakery in the center of Lucca on Via S. Lucia.
Forno a Vapore Amedeo Giusti (steam oven bakery Amedeo Giusti) creates a variety of breads and pastries using stone-ground organic DOP (protected place of origin) flour, heirloom grains, extra-virgin olive oil and other premium ingredients.
The budino di riso (lemon-kissed rice pudding in a cookie crust; above left) was paradise.
A mini crostata filled with stracchino cheese was a savory sensation.
A glazed walnut-fig brioche pastry (right) tasted like Christmas. Walter and I slivered it into disappearing.
The most impressive baked good was the focaccia, both for the quality of the product and the volume of it that left the shop on our two visits.
We purchased a hunk and the baker cut it for us and filled it with prosciutto crudo which we later embellished with lettuce and pecorino.
The focaccia was crusty but light, tender but chewy, filled with olive oil flavor without being greasy.
Here is a video of Giusti to tide you over until you can visit.
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